Which statement differentiates norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing?

Which statement differentiates norm-referenced and criterion-referenced testing?

• A. All types compare scores to the class average.
• B. Norm-referenced tests compare a student's score to a normative sample, while criterion-referenced tests measure performance against predefined criteria.
• C. Norm-referenced tests measure knowledge of a fixed curriculum, while criterion-referenced tests compare to peers.
• D. Neither type uses standardized scoring.

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how performance is interpreted: relative to other people or against defined standards. Norm-referenced tests judge a student by comparing their score to a normative sample, which creates a distribution to show how they rank among peers (often yielding percentile ranks). Criterion-referenced tests, on the other hand, judge whether the student has demonstrated specified skills or mastery of predefined criteria, regardless of how others perform. That makes the statement accurate: norm-referenced tests compare to a normative sample, while criterion-referenced tests measure performance against predefined criteria. For context, norm-referenced examples include many standardized IQ tests or college admissions exams where your score places you on a curve relative to others. Criterion-referenced examples include a mastery checklist for early literacy skills or a driving test with specific criteria like signaling, stopping, and following procedures—where success is about meeting the standard, not beating other test-takers.

The key idea is how performance is interpreted: relative to other people or against defined standards. Norm-referenced tests judge a student by comparing their score to a normative sample, which creates a distribution to show how they rank among peers (often yielding percentile ranks). Criterion-referenced tests, on the other hand, judge whether the student has demonstrated specified skills or mastery of predefined criteria, regardless of how others perform.

That makes the statement accurate: norm-referenced tests compare to a normative sample, while criterion-referenced tests measure performance against predefined criteria.

For context, norm-referenced examples include many standardized IQ tests or college admissions exams where your score places you on a curve relative to others. Criterion-referenced examples include a mastery checklist for early literacy skills or a driving test with specific criteria like signaling, stopping, and following procedures—where success is about meeting the standard, not beating other test-takers.